when you are stressed about school, do you smoke cigarettes?

Truly_Blessed · Oct 10, 2004

well, I am one of those horrid disgisting ppl who started smoking again because of the stress of nursing school. so everyone...stand your 20 ft. away, I know I am a nasty smelling mess. I by no means wanna corrupt the perfect ppl:p

Anyways, I was smoke free for a year and a half. The stress got to me, and I started again. I have controlled it pretty well, I only smoke at school, the pack stays there. At home, I find other things to do. I will not be smoking at clinicals...I care tooo much about the patients to make them suffer with me leaning over them to do things and making them gag with the smoke smell. I am sure it doesn't make them feel any better(smoke smell). I don't crave them really, and smoke only after a huge exam or a pop quiz. My only advice is not to pick up the nasty habit...especially if you just started and have never done it before. It's nasty, and it really does stink. Run, don't walk the other way. I all around hate the fact that I even see the need in smoking after a stressful event.

Truly_Blessed · Oct 10, 2004

well, I am one of those horrid disgisting ppl who started smoking again because of the stress of nursing school. so everyone...stand your 20 ft. away, I know I am a nasty smelling mess. I by no means wanna corrupt the perfect ppl:p

Anyways, I was smoke free for a year and a half. The stress got to me, and I started again. I have controlled it pretty well, I only smoke at school, the pack stays there. At home, I find other things to do. I will not be smoking at clinicals...I care tooo much about the patients to make them suffer with me leaning over them to do things and making them gag with the smoke smell. I am sure it doesn't make them feel any better(smoke smell). I don't crave them really, and smoke only after a huge exam or a pop quiz. My only advice is not to pick up the nasty habit...especially if you just started and have never done it before. It's nasty, and it really does stink. Run, don't walk the other way. I all around hate the fact that I even see the need in smoking after a stressful event.

cherokeesummer · Oct 10, 2004

I used to smoke for many years, from age 12 - 22. I quit and it has been 5 years since I smoked. Yes, when I am stressed, I sometimes think of the smokes, but I know my Hubby would kick me right on my tail! :):)

So instead, I munch, I stress, I munch some more...but I'm trying to find other things to ease my stress - crying! Screaming! STudying! Talking, Walking with my Hubby.

KNow that eventually it will get better - it will get better!

cherokeesummer · Oct 10, 2004

I used to smoke for many years, from age 12 - 22. I quit and it has been 5 years since I smoked. Yes, when I am stressed, I sometimes think of the smokes, but I know my Hubby would kick me right on my tail! :):)

So instead, I munch, I stress, I munch some more...but I'm trying to find other things to ease my stress - crying! Screaming! STudying! Talking, Walking with my Hubby.

KNow that eventually it will get better - it will get better!

RedSox33RN · Oct 11, 2004

Unfortunately, it takes a LONG time for that feeling of needing a cigarette to go away. I quit smoking when I was first found out I was pregnant with my daughter, and she's a month away from her 14th birthday, so it's been over 14 1/2 years. I never went back - not even one - but whenever I'm in a situation like having a beer out with friends or something, even though I DETEST the smell now, that old feeling of "just one cigarette" comes back. I do recall our old Fed-x guy saying he'd been quite over 25 years ago, and he STILL had a craving for one every single morning. I think maybe whatever your "best" cigarette of the day was (and all smokers and ex-smokers know what I mean) will be the one you may always miss.

It certainly has gotten less over the years, and I spent a lot of time downing margaritas and beer when I was flying back and forth to deal with my mother's estate, but only a few times did the thought occur to me. I wouldn't even call it an "urge" now, but something I still think about. :stone

RedSox33RN · Oct 11, 2004

Unfortunately, it takes a LONG time for that feeling of needing a cigarette to go away. I quit smoking when I was first found out I was pregnant with my daughter, and she's a month away from her 14th birthday, so it's been over 14 1/2 years. I never went back - not even one - but whenever I'm in a situation like having a beer out with friends or something, even though I DETEST the smell now, that old feeling of "just one cigarette" comes back. I do recall our old Fed-x guy saying he'd been quite over 25 years ago, and he STILL had a craving for one every single morning. I think maybe whatever your "best" cigarette of the day was (and all smokers and ex-smokers know what I mean) will be the one you may always miss.

It certainly has gotten less over the years, and I spent a lot of time downing margaritas and beer when I was flying back and forth to deal with my mother's estate, but only a few times did the thought occur to me. I wouldn't even call it an "urge" now, but something I still think about. :stone

LydiaGreen · Oct 11, 2004

I am a smoker, was before school, during school, and am now after school. My stress level was through the roof during school (as it is with everyone), but I found other ways to deal with stress. I'm sorry, but I do not think that a "mild" anti-anxiety medication is the way to go - at least not if you don't need it. Doctors (in my opinion) are all too quick to prescribe anti-anxiety, anti-depressant medications to those who do not necessarily need them. While there are those who need them (and I am very familiar with this - extensive history of depression, schizophrenia and bi-polar on my side of the family, AND my husband's), there are those who do not. Mental illness is an absence or over-abundance of brain chemistry that causes behavioural signs and symptoms. If your brain chemistry is okay to start with, why mess with it?

Is the stress you are experiencing similar to what your classmates are going through? Or is it more extreme? Thoughts of self-harm? If it is similar, then it is a normal response and you may find stress relief through other means first. Deep breathing worked for me. Seriously. Got me through the worst of nursing school. Some of my classmates turned to working out in the gym or at Curves. Some "partied". Several of my classmates went to their doc for something to help them sleep only to be prescribed an anti-depressant.

If you are going through something beyond the normal stress response to nursing school, please, RUSH to your doctor.

LydiaGreen · Oct 11, 2004

I am a smoker, was before school, during school, and am now after school. My stress level was through the roof during school (as it is with everyone), but I found other ways to deal with stress. I'm sorry, but I do not think that a "mild" anti-anxiety medication is the way to go - at least not if you don't need it. Doctors (in my opinion) are all too quick to prescribe anti-anxiety, anti-depressant medications to those who do not necessarily need them. While there are those who need them (and I am very familiar with this - extensive history of depression, schizophrenia and bi-polar on my side of the family, AND my husband's), there are those who do not. Mental illness is an absence or over-abundance of brain chemistry that causes behavioural signs and symptoms. If your brain chemistry is okay to start with, why mess with it?

Is the stress you are experiencing similar to what your classmates are going through? Or is it more extreme? Thoughts of self-harm? If it is similar, then it is a normal response and you may find stress relief through other means first. Deep breathing worked for me. Seriously. Got me through the worst of nursing school. Some of my classmates turned to working out in the gym or at Curves. Some "partied". Several of my classmates went to their doc for something to help them sleep only to be prescribed an anti-depressant.

If you are going through something beyond the normal stress response to nursing school, please, RUSH to your doctor.

maire, ASN, RN · Oct 11, 2004

I'm a reformed smoker. Sometimes I get really tempted, and a few times I have given in. It doesn't help with the stress, though.

maire, ASN, RN · Oct 11, 2004

I'm a reformed smoker. Sometimes I get really tempted, and a few times I have given in. It doesn't help with the stress, though.

jbjints · Oct 11, 2004

I quit smoking over two years ago and I would not recommend that anyone smoke. I began smoking at the age of 12 and what made me quit was watching my father die of Cancer at the tender age of 55 =(. Quitting smoking was one of the hardest things for me to do but one of my greatest achievements.

I never think about smoking again which surprises me considering I am working fulltime, married with two kids and going to school. I'd honestly put the cancer sticks down, you don't need them.

That myth that it helps with stress is total bs.

jbjints · Oct 11, 2004

I quit smoking over two years ago and I would not recommend that anyone smoke. I began smoking at the age of 12 and what made me quit was watching my father die of Cancer at the tender age of 55 =(. Quitting smoking was one of the hardest things for me to do but one of my greatest achievements.

I never think about smoking again which surprises me considering I am working fulltime, married with two kids and going to school. I'd honestly put the cancer sticks down, you don't need them.

That myth that it helps with stress is total bs.